Spring 2015 - Earlier this year the Kentucky General Assembly completed crafting and changing laws that impact citizens and businesses across the commonwealth. Coming from the convenience store and grocery wholesale business in my prior careers, becoming involved in the Kentucky legislative and regulatory world has been, let’s say, an “interesting” experience. What I have learned over the years from being involved in the obscure legislative process is this – the key to a winning legislative formula is YOU! Read More

Partnerships

From my days as a convenience store retailer in my father’s stores to my time working for the old Malone & Hyde/Fleming grocery wholesale companies, I’ve been involved with the wholesale business. I remember as a retailer how certain thoughts and attitudes about our wholesaler seemed to always lead me to points of conflict about our wholesaler relationship. Chief among the thoughts in my head at that time were “our wholesaler is only concerned about their business, not mine.” Or, “My wholesaler just wants to put the screws to me.” I’ll come back to these erroneous thoughts in a moment…Read More

Partnerships

Posted 10-20-14 - From my days as a convenience store retailer in my father’s stores to my time working for the old Malone & Hyde/Fleming grocery wholesale companies, I’ve been involved with the wholesale business. I remember as a retailer how certain thoughts and attitudes about our wholesaler seemed to always lead me to points of conflict about our wholesaler relationship. Chief among the thoughts in my head at that time were “our wholesaler is only concerned about their business, not mine.” Or, “My wholesaler just wants to put the screws to me.” I’ll come back to these erroneous thoughts in a moment…
Of course, I was young at the time and without the tempering of age and experience to fully understand the dynamics of just what our wholesaler had to offer our family business that in most cases, would have actually made our successful business even more successful. Read More

Posted 02-01-17 - A summary of the very best beer retailers in the states, provinces and counties as judged by the worldwide beer enthusiasts at RateBeer and calculated from their many reviews. Read More

Three Benefits Of Electronic Alcohol Payments

Posted 04-07-16 - Time is truly money in today's busy world, and Alcohol distribution is no exception. It is fast-paced, competitive, and time is an incredibly precious asset. As this $200 billion industry continues to grow, it is essential to adapt and incorporate new methods of payment into the entire distribution process. Electronic alcohol payment methods are here and they are here to stay. Here are three ways these payment methods are beneficial.Read More

Retailer SNAP Violations Can Be Costly

Spring 2015 - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as the Food Stamp Program, provides monthly benefits to qualifying, low-income households that need assistance in order to have a healthy diet. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers and enforces the laws and regulations governing this program, and it does so vigorously. Any violation by a retailer or “firm” usually results in severe sanctions that include disqualification from SNAP and/or a monetary penalty, and possibly criminal prosecution. This article provides information on avoiding FNS compliance issues along with actions to take if you receive a “charge letter” from the FNS. The KGA/KACS is often the first call retailers make when receiving one of these letters.Read More

Spring Your Store Forward with Value Perception

Spring 2015 - Spring is here! Are you ready? March 20 was the meteorological beginning of spring; however, after living in North Dakota, I can assure you that the calendar and the weather are not always in sync. While living in North Dakota, I cannot ever remember selling charcoal before March 20. On the other hand, while I was living in Georgia, there were many years that we were selling charcoal well before March 20. We all know when spring starts on the calendar. However, common sense tells us when our customers’ buying habits change. The real question is--Are you ready? Your customers are usually ready for the seasonal changes long before the metrological calendar date.Read More

Are You Ready for the New FLSA Rule?

Spring 2015 - A proposed FLSA rule originally was forecast to be issued in November 2014, but according to Tammy McCutchen, an attorney with Littler who was administrator the Wage and Hour Division during the last major overall of the regulations in 2004, first half of 2015 is now a more realistic target date.Read More

FOUR RULES FOR COMPETING BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER

Spring 2015 - I'm not a big rules guy. Mostly, I'd rather break them than make them. (I'm a big believer in the old Steve Jobs line: 'Better to be a pirate than join the Navy.")
But last year, when a publisher came to me and asked me to compile some retailing rules based on my 25+ years of writing about retailing in a wide variety of forms, I figured that some common sense, anecdote-laden rules might be a good idea ... especially because we're living in a time of enormous change, enormous challenges, and enormous upheaval in the retail business.
Reality check: Everybody wants a piece of your business. So you have to play hardball - everyday - if you want to survive.
So here are four rules that I think are a good start if you want to compete in this cutthroat, winner-take-all environment.Read More

Kentucky Tobacco Retailers Get a Pat on the Back!

Posted 09-22-14 - The Kentucky Synar Program would like to give Kentucky retailers a pat on the back for a job well done. Each year the Synar Program conducts random compliance checks across the Commonwealth to see how many retailers will sell tobacco products to youth. The good news is that 94.6% of retailers refused to sell tobacco to youth! Thank you Kentucky retailers for being part of the solution to underage youth tobacco use. Read More

Things You Do Not Know About Your Credit Card Processing That You Should

In today’s evolving world credit card processing the number one cost to small and medium size businesses is credit card fees. As credit card transactions continue to grow (U.S Purchase Volume of credit, debit and prepaid cards in 2013 was at $2.9 trillion) it is evident that merchants’ ability to handle credit processing without damaging their cash flow as well as profit is the key to operating more effectively in the payment-processing world they live in today.
Unfortunately credit card processing knowledge and transaction information is so scarce and complex that most merchants, if any, can’t allocate the time and resources to combat the operational challenge they face. So what are some of things that merchants should know about credit card processing that they aren’t doing today? Read More

Posted 02-10-16 - New brochure from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, “Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens: Best practice tips for deli operators.” is available now. This tri-fold brochure is a condensed version of the FSIS Best Practices Guidance and provides retailers with practical suggestions for reducing the likelihood of Lm contamination in their establishments. Read More

Kentucky SNAP Preparing for 19 Day Benefits Distribution

Posted 06-15-15 - Your KGA/KACS has been working with Kentucky SNAP officials to expand the program benefits distribution time-frame from the current 10 day distribution to a new 19 day distribution.
I am pleased to report that the state is moving ahead with the change.Read More

Grant County Oil Named 2016 KGCSA Convenience Store of the Year

Frankfort, KY – November 29, 2016 – Jeff, Pennie and Jason Dunaway owner/operators of Grant County Oil Company in Williamstown, KY were honored with the 2016 Convenience Store of the Year Award, presented by NACS, during the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Stores Association, Inc. (KGCSA) 75th Annual Awards event.Read More

Durham's Grocery Named 2016 KGCSA Grocer of the Year

Frankfort, KY – November 29, 2016 - Joe, Robin and Craig Crain, owners of Durham’s Grocery in Stanford, KY were honored with the 2016 Grocer of the Year Award, presented by Lipari Foods, during the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Stores Association, Inc. (KGCSA) 75th Annual Awards event.Read More

Frankly, KGA/KACS Members Have the Best Lobbyists

Your KGA/KACS takes great pride in retaining the services of the best retail industry lobbyists in Kentucky to represent your business and our industry in Frankfort. Gay Dwyer and Jan Gould are experienced state government relations professionals with knowledge of both the people and the process driving Kentucky government.
We must never forget that the primary reason your KGA/KACS exists is to make sure that the industry has input into legislative and regulatory issues impacting your business, either positively or negatively.
Read More

KGCSA Supports Effort to Protect Debit Card Reforms

Posted 09-20-16 - The KGCSA has signed a letter asking the U.S. House of Representatives to protect debit card reforms enacted via the "Durbin Amendment" contained in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Concumer Protection Act. Read More

KGA/KACS EXCLUSIVE! In Pursuit of Your “Dream” Customer

Posted 10-07-14 - Imagine a customer who visits your retail locations more often than your average customer, who spends more than your average customer, who purchases from some of your key categories more often than your average customer and who is more loyal to a particular retail outlet than your average customer. Can you imagine that customer? Well, you don’t have to: That customer is a regular lottery-playing customer.
After having worked for a multi-state convenience retail chain for over twenty years and now consulting in the retail channel for another 16, the customer I just described above is my idea of a “dream” customer. But the total value to your revenue stream of the customer who plays the lottery on a regular basis has been poorly understood and under appreciated by the retail community for years, myself included.Read More

The Generational Change of Loyalty Programs

Loyalty is changing in the retail sector, particularly in grocery, convenience stores and pharmacies where high repeat business is the norm. While points, discounts, clubs and special promotions are still important, today, you must know who your customer is and what their buying preferences are. Then it is no longer is it just a loyalty program but a powerful tool to attract, retain and delight your customers, no matter their age or shopping habits.
The most common types of loyalty services in the retail market today are:Read More

Posted 02-01-17 - A summary of the very best beer retailers in the states, provinces and counties as judged by the worldwide beer enthusiasts at RateBeer and calculated from their many reviews. Read More

Laurel Grocery Company CEO Winston Griffin talks about

Posted 08-28-15 - Laurel Grocery Company CEO Winston Griffin talks about "family" and being a Laurel County Kentucky company.Read More

ASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2017 – Three Ready Pac Foods Inc. establishments, located in Swedesboro, N.J., in Jackson, Ga., and the headquarters establishment in Irwindale, Calif., are recalling approximately 59,225 pounds of one variety of chicken salad product that may be adulterated withListeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.Read More

Bee International, Inc. of Chula Vista, CA is recalling its 1.7oz. Plastic Heart Tubes with Chocolate Lentils because they may contain undeclared milk protein. People who have allergies to milk may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The recalled “Chocolate Lentils” were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through food distributors.Read More

Organic Herbal Supply, Inc. announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of all lots of XtraHRD Natural Male Enhancement capsules. FDA analysis has found the product to contain Tadalafil. Tadalafil is a FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). The active drug ingredients are not listed on the label for this product. To date, no adverse events have been reported.Read More

Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana, supplied MDS Foods with cheeses that have been found to be contaminated with the pathogenic organism Listeria Monocytogenes which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. At the time of this release, no illnesses have been reported.Read More

Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Schlabach branch is issuing a recall on various Cheeses and cheese containing items due to the potential for it to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:NATIONWIDE-Various Saputo Inc. Cheeses

Saputo Inc. (Saputo), is voluntarily recalling certain Gouda cheese products in the United States after having been notified by Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana that some specialty Gouda cheese products that it supplied to Saputo’s Green Bay, Wisconsin facility may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.Read More

Legendary Baking of Denver, CO, has expanded its recall of 34 ounce packages of Private Selection Salted Caramel Chocolate Almond Pie because the almonds and eggs were not listed in the ingredient statement. People who have allergies to almonds and eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The recalled Private Selection Salted Caramel Chocolate Almond Pies were distributed in Kroger, Fry’s, and Smith’s retail stores in the following states: AL, AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, NM, OH, SC, TN, and WV. Legendary Baking has expanded this recall because the product also went to Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and City Market retail stores in the following states: CO, ID, NM, OR, UT, WA, and WY.Read More

Out of an abundance of caution and with an emphasis on its customers’ wellness and safety, Guggisberg Cheese Inc. is recalling various types of Colby type cheeses and sizes due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:KENTUCKY-Various Country Fresh Cheese Products

Following the Sargento Cheese Company recall where select Sargento branded cheeses were recalled due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Country Fresh, LLC. of Conroe, Texas, is recalling 2,552 cases of various cooking and snacking products (product descriptions attached), that contained Sargento branded cheeses because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:Various Brands of McCain Onion Rings

KGCSA Posted 10-07-16 - Lisle, IL - McCain Foods USA, Inc. today announced it is voluntarily recalling retail, frozen onion ring products due to the use of incorrect packaging that does not declare milk as one of the ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.Read More

KGCSA Posted 09-26-16 - This voluntary recall has been initiated on September 9th, 2016 due to an undeclared milk allergen on “VRINDAVAN” COW GHEE labeling. Consumers who are allergic to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:Good Sense Cranberries ‘N More

KGCSA Posted 09-26-16 - Waymouth Farms, Inc has initiated a voluntary recall of Good Sense® Cranberries ‘N More 6 oz (170g) with a Freshest if used by date of 8/16/2017 A 15:00 through Freshest if used by 8/16/2017 A 23:00 after discovering that inadvertently other allergens were packed into the Good Sense® Cranberries ‘N More package. Only 2640 packages were impacted. No other Good Sense® products are affected.Read More

KGCSA Posted 09-26-16 - Brenham, TX - Blue Bell Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling select products produced in its Sylacauga, Alabama, plant because they were made with a chocolate chip cookie dough ingredient supplied by a third party supplier Aspen Hills, Inc., due to the potential for it to contain Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
This recall covers the following products.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:BORDER STATES-Certain Kelloggs Eggo Waffles

KGCSA Posted 09-20-16 - Kellogg Company is voluntarily recalling approximately 10,000 cases of Kellogg’s® Eggo® Nutri-Grain® Whole Wheat Waffles because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No other Eggo products are impacted by this recall.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:BORDER STATES-Brach’s® 5 ounce Almond Supremes

KGCSA Posted 09-20-16 - Ferrara Candy Company has initiated a voluntary recall of Brach’s® 5 ounce Almond Supremes with a best by date of 4/22/2017 after discovering that some Brach’s® Almond Supremes packages may include Brach’s® Bridge Mix, a product that contains peanuts and wheat. No other Ferrara Candy Company products are affected.Read More

KGCSA Posted 09-20-16 - Censea, Inc. is recalling its A-PAC 8/12 count Headless Shell on Black Tiger Shrimp, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Product was distributed to wholesale, retail and restaurant locations in NY, NJ, MA, RI, CT, VA, KY, IL and TX.Read More

KGCSA Posted 09-15-16 - Shearer’s Foods, LLC of Massillon, OH is recalling Meijer brand 8.5 ounce packages of No Salt Added Kettle Cooked Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared soy and milk. People who have allergies to soy and/or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:NATIONWIDE-Field Day Organic Ranch Dressing

KGCSA Posted 09-15-16 - Drew’s, LLC of Chester, VT is voluntarily recalling one lot code of Field Day Organic Ranch Dressing due to product mislabeling that has resulted in an undeclared milk and egg allergen. Consumers who have severe allergies to milk and/or egg run the risk of serious or life- threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
This action is being taken in cooperation with the US FDA. Product has been distributed in retail stores nationwide.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:NATIONWIDE-Family Care Brand Eye Wash

KGCSA Posted 09-09-16 - Cerritos, CA, United Exchange Corp. is voluntarily recalling the following lots of Family Care Eye Wash 4 oz due to microbial contamination. These products consist of a purified water solution.Read More

KGCSA Posted 09-01-16 - Norway, Iowa - Frontier Co-op is initiating a voluntary recall for the following Aura Cacia Milk & Oat Bath products. Recalled products were sold online and in stores in all 50 states and in some parts of Canada to distributors, retailers and consumers.
This voluntary recall is the result of FDA testing that revealed an elevated microorganism count in Aura Cacia Lavender Milk & Oat Bath. While cosmetic products are not required to be sterile, an elevated microorganism count indicates that the product could pose a hazard to health. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:KENTUCKY-Certain Entenmann's Bakery Products

KGCSA Posted 09-01-16 - HORSHAM, PA – Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of Entenmann’s Little Bites Fudge Brownies (5 pack), Chocolate Chip Muffins (5 pack and 10 pack boxes) and Variety Pack (20 pack) due to the presence of small pieces of plastic caused by a manufacturing failure at a contract manufacturer’s bakery in Illinois. The product being recalled has “Best By” dates, UPC codes and was distributed in the states identified below. In each case, the code number “3098” is printed next to the Best By date on the outside of the box.Read More

KGCSA Posted 08-31-16 - Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of Diamond of California® Macadamia Nuts, distributed in retail stores nationwide, due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
There have been no reported illnesses to date.
This voluntary recall is the result of testing by a FDA-contracted laboratory which revealed that a 4oz package of Diamond of California® Chopped Macadamia Nuts contained Salmonella.
This voluntary recall covers only the following products:Read More

KGCSA Recall Alert:NATIONWIDE-DHZC-2 Tablets

KGCSA Posted 08-30-16 - Ton Shen Health/Life Rising Corporation of Chicago, IL, is expanding its recall of “DHZC-2” Tablets to all lots purchased before August 24, 2016 because they have the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead.
The recalled "DHZC-2" tablets were sold nationwide in retails stores and distributed through mail orders.
The product comes in a 1.6 ounce bottle, UPC: 616042102727
The FDA is currently investigating 6 cases of adverse effects involving individuals taking DHZC-2 supplement tablets.
The potential for contamination was noted after FDA notice of higher level of lead presence in DHZC-2 samples from lot # 2163-844.Read More

KGCSA Posted 08-29-16 - WFSP Foods LLC, a Decatur, Ala. establishment, is recalling approximately 18,672 pounds of pork and chicken sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain milk, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label.
The ready-to-eat sausage items were produced on June 7, 2016. The following product is subject to recall: Read More